Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) provide direct benefits to plants as antimicrobials and herbivore repellents, but their potential as direct toxins to herbivores is unclear. Here we assayed the larvicidal activity of six common HIPVs from three different biochemical pathways and tested the hypothesis that the larvicidal activity of HIPVs is related to the host specialization of the insect pest. We first assessed β-caryophyllene, linalool, z-3hexenyl acetate, z-3-hexenol, e-2-hexenol, and indole against the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), and found that indole was 7-fold more toxic compared to the other volatiles when incorporated into diet. Then, we tested the larvicidal activity of indole against six common, destructive pest caterpillars with varying host ranges. Consistent with our hypothesis, indole toxicity varied with caterpillar host range: indole toxicity was seven-fold higher in more specialized insect species relative to generalist insect species. That said, the LC 50 of indole was comparable to other reported anti-herbivore agents even against the generalist caterpillars. Yet, indole in headspace had neither larvicidal nor ovicidal activity on any caterpillar species tested.These results support a key ecological precept regarding tradeoffs between host specialization and chemical detoxification, and also indicate that indole functions as a direct defense against herbivores that could be potentially useful in integrated pest management strategies. KeywordsCaterpillars, Green leaf volatiles (GLVs), Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), Host Range, Indole, Pest, Toxicity, Specialist vs Generalist herbivore Key message• We measured the direct toxicity of six common HIPVs against the beet armyworm.• Indole was the most toxic HIPV against the beet armyworm.• We determined the toxicity of indole against six different pest caterpillar species.• Toxicity of indole was associated with the host preference of the insect species.• Indole exposure in headspace had no effect on egg hatching or caterpillar survival.• Indole has the potential to be developed as an insecticide against crop pests.
207 21 Abstract 33Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) provide direct benefits to plants as 34 antimicrobials and herbivore repellents, but their potential as direct toxins to herbivores is 35 unclear. Here we assayed the larvicidal activity of six common HIPVs from three different 36 biochemical pathways and tested the hypothesis that the larvicidal activity of HIPVs is related to 37 the host specialization of the insect pest. We first assessed β-caryophyllene, linalool, z-3-38 hexenyl acetate, z-3-hexenol, e-2-hexenol, and indole against the beet armyworm (Spodoptera 39 exigua), and found that indole was 7-fold more toxic compared to the other volatiles when 40 incorporated into diet. Then, we tested the larvicidal activity of indole against six common, 41 destructive pest caterpillars with varying host ranges. Consistent with our hypothesis, indole 42 toxicity varied with caterpillar host range: indole toxicity was seven-fold higher in more 43 specialized insect species relative to generalist insect species. That said, the LC 50 of indole was 44 comparable to other reported anti-herbivore agents even against the generalist caterpillars. Yet, 45 indole in headspace had neither larvicidal nor ovicidal activity on any caterpillar species tested. 46 These results support a key ecological precept regarding tradeoffs between host specialization 47 49 50 Keywords 51 Caterpillars, Green leaf volatiles (GLVs), Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), Host Range, 52 Indole, Pest, Toxicity, Specialist vs Generalist herbivore 53 54Key message 55 • We measured the direct toxicity of six common HIPVs against the beet armyworm. 56• Indole was the most toxic HIPV against the beet armyworm. 57• We determined the toxicity of indole against six different pest caterpillar species. 58• Toxicity of indole was associated with the host preference of the insect species. 59• Indole exposure in headspace had no effect on egg hatching or caterpillar survival. 60
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